Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-01-28
OUR YOUNG MEN.
Make place for Them ia the Ranks
of the Local Democracy.

Ed. DEMOCRAT: One OF your editorials
in Wednesdays issue shows line Of
thought which, to my mind it would be
profitable to pursue. You say that
"whatever of good material there may be
in the young men in this city and Terri
tory, out OF which to obtain immediate
and efficient help in reconstructing the
political fabric OF Utah, does not yet APP
pear in large proportion Too true,
Mr.. Editor. But suppose we 90 little
further and ask the questions Why is it
so? Is it because the Young men OF
Utah-the non MOrmOns, ! mean--are
absolutely lacking in intelligence and
patriotism, and in those other qualities
which elsewhere Throughout the coun-
try characterize Young America, or is it
not, rather, because they have as yet
been afforded little or no opportunity to
prove to the world the real metal that is
in their composition?
Now, allow me to quote again from the
article referred to. You say Coming
responsibilities warn our young men that
if they would play an honorable and
effective part in helping to build up
noble State, they must fit themselves by
application and action for intelligent and
responsible work" Exactly so but what
political action, to be productive of any
good at all, can they take without first
attaching themselves to one or the other
OF the local branches OF the great National
parties? And let me ask you, right here,
what encouragement the Democrats OF
Utah have ever extended to the young
men of this city and Territory to come
within the fold? am well aware of the
fact that, as individuals, prominent DEM
ocrats in this city indulge the hope
that the great majority of young
men here will eventually, in the
exercise OF sound judgment, attach
themselves to and become efficient work
ers in the ranks OF the party-a hope
which | sincerely trust may be realized
But, as looking to that end, tell me .in
what way the local Democracy, as an or
ganization, extends any encouragement
whatever to these young men? Isn't it
true, Mr.. Editor, that even here in this
metropolis, the headquarters of the party,
the years come and go and such thing
as a meeting Of Democrats for the pur-
pose OF inviting reinforcements to the
ranks, and for arousing and keeping
alive that enthusiasm which ought to
pervade every well-organized political
association, is entirely unknown? And
are you not aware, as a matter OF fact,
that for anything Il good many young
men here know to the contrary, there is
no organized Democratic party in Utah
to which they can attach themselves?
Now, Mr. Editor, if it be true that the
young men of Utah are, in the matter of
intelligence and patriotism, the peers of
young men elsewhere throughout the
country-and | think you will agree with
me that such is the case-and if it be
true that the Democracy of Utah, as an
organization, has not done its whole duty
in the matter of extending encourage
ment to, and inviting reinforcements
from, these same young men, by which
means they could be given the oppor.
tunity to show the stuff of which they
are made-I say, ii these things be so,
then, having traced the reason for that
which you deplore, why not 90 to work
and render great service, both to the
young men and to the Democratic party
OF Utah, by urging the infusion of lit
tie life into the latter organization-ad-
! vocating its reorganization, if that be
necessary-and at the same time urging
| upon our young men the importance of
attaching themselves thereto, so that in
the near future, when the day for united
action arrives, these same Young men
may be found side by side with the
veterans OF the party, fighting in the
cause OF good government and for the
| triumph OF those principles whose appli-
cation to the affairs OF life everywhere
means the greatest good to the greatest
number OF people-the principles upon
which the Democratic party is founded
As Il Democrat, let me ask you, Mr..
Editor, to see to it, as far as you can,
that the young men OF Utah are given
an opportunity to prove the material of
which they are made. 10 this end get
your editorial prod to work on the gen
tlemen who compose the Territorial and
! county committees urge upon them the
I necessity OF holding occasional meetings
at which these young men can be present,
and then, whenever the right material
is found, OF endeavoring to bring them
within the party lines. 1t seems to me
that sooner or later some such work must
be engaged in, and the sooner the better,
both for the young men OF whom you
speak and for the Democratic party of
new Utah.
Mr.. Editor, won't you please open the
ball j. w, PIKE.
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 2S, 1887.